Rev Sue Parfitt and a fellow activist have smashed the glass display case around the Magna Carta at the British Library.

The 82-year-old, together with 85-year-old Judy Bruce, a retired teacher, then held up a sign reading "The Government is breaking the law" before glueing themselves to the display.

In response, the British Library stated that its security team intervened to prevent further damage to the case, which was minimal, ensuring that the Magna Carta itself remained undamaged. The ancient legal document, which ensured that the king and his government were not above the law, is one of only four copies left, according to the library.

Rev Parfitt said: "The Magna Carta is rightly revered, being of great importance to our history, to our freedoms and to our laws. But there will be no freedom, no lawfulness, no rights, if we allow climate breakdown to become the catastrophe that is now threatened."

"We must get things in proportion. The abundance of life on earth, the climate stability that allows civilisation to continue is what must be revered and protected above all else, even above our most precious artefacts."

Bruce said: "This week 400 respected scientists - contributors to IPCC reports, are saying we are 'woefully unprepared' for what's coming: 2.5 or more degrees of heating above pre industrial levels.

"Instead of acting, our dysfunctional Government is like the three monkeys: 'see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing' - pretend we've got 25 years... we haven't.

"We must get off our addiction to oil and gas by 2030 - starting now."

The Metropolitan Police said two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and are currently in custody.